Post by lemansvk on Aug 5, 2010 0:17:40 GMT

Most of us would say this car is a Humber Sceptre Mk 1. It's left hand drive and has a metric speedo, suggesting it was made for a European country, and someone has suggested the number plate is from Portugal.

A closer inspection shows that it is badged (including the grille) as a Sunbeam Rapier, and it has a wooden dash like a Mk 5 Rapier, not at all like the Sceptre dash with it's vinyl and hooded instruments.

Now, it's generally known that the Sceptre was originally intended to replace the Audax Sunbeam Rapier, and to take it's name - it should have been the Rapier 4. The Sceptre even has a chassis/engine number consistent with it being a Sunbeam Rapier. The decision to continue the Rapier and sell the Sceptre as a different make/model was taken at the last minute. I have been told that at least one prototype was made, badged as a Rapier.

So, is this car an elaborate fake/replica/mock up? Or could it be a genuine prototype/pre-production Sunbeam Rapier (Sceptre bodied)? Does anyone know the car? Any ideas?

Post by thomashumber on Jul 19, 2012 14:19:45 GMT

A bit late replying.Could the one & only mockup/test car but thought in the photos it was RHD.

It is possible the Sceptre was sold in Europe, especially the Scandinavian countries, as a Sunbeam Rapier (as they did with the later Hunter/Arrow cars); There was very little difference in the Grille between Mk I and Rapier BUT why have two different models at the same time.

The interior looks very rough in design layout especially under the wood dash and where the Sceptre Glove=box was, would suggest its very much an odd ball.